CitationJet CJ1
The Cessna CitationJet CJ1 is a very light jet seating five passengers in an 11.0-foot cabin, 4.8 feet wide and 4.8 feet tall, with a belted lavatory. Range is 1,300 nautical miles at 389 knots with a 41,000-foot service ceiling. Against VLJ category averages, the CJ1 carries one more seat (5 vs 4 avg) and more range (1,300 vs 1,178nm avg), running at category-average speed (389 vs 390 ktas avg). Two Williams International FJ44 turbofan engines, each producing around 1,900 pounds of thrust, power the aircraft.
The US Part 135 fleet of 51 aircraft across 46 operators is the most diffuse in the database relative to its size — nearly one aircraft per operator. No company holds more than two aircraft. Southeastern Ohio Air Service, Mississippi Air Express, Silverhawk Aviation, and several others each operate two; the remainder operate one each. That wide distribution produces 18 active empty legs from diverse locations, with routes concentrated in California and the West.
Charter rates run approximately $2,000 to $2,800 per hour. Used CJ1 and CJ1+ aircraft trade from $800,000 to $2 million depending on model year and total time.
Specs at a glance
Interior & cabin
| Passengers | 5 |
| Cabin length | 11.0 ft |
| Cabin width | 4.8 ft |
| Cabin height | 4.8 ft |
| Baggage volume | 53 cu ft |
| Lavatory | Belted, curtained |
| Galley | No |
| Wi-Fi | Rare |
| Cabin floor | Drop aisle |
At 4.8 ft of cabin height, the CitationJet CJ1 is a sit-down jet. Expect to duck moving between seats. The lavatory is belted with a curtain — not a full door.
Operator floor plans vary. Some CitationJet CJ1 cabins are configured with a divan that drops the headcount by one or two seats; confirm the layout with the operator before booking.
Range & performance
| Range | 1,300 nm |
| Max cruise | 389 ktas |
| Typical cruise | ~331 ktas |
| Service ceiling | 41,000 ft |
With 1,300 nm of range, the CitationJet CJ1 is built for short-to-mid US missions. Plan a fuel stop for anything past three hours of cruise.
Distances are real great-circle nautical miles from the selected hub. Angular positions are spaced for readability, not actual bearings. Range envelope assumes no wind and a full passenger load.
History
Cessna developed the original CitationJet as the smallest and most affordable member of the Citation family, targeting owner-pilots and small operators who needed a jet-certified aircraft they could fly single-pilot. The prototype flew on December 29, 1991, and the FAA issued type certification on January 16, 1993. Deliveries began in May 1993 with Williams International FJ44-1A engines producing 1,900 lbs of thrust. Cessna built approximately 192 original CitationJets through 1999.
Cessna introduced the CJ1 in 2000 with Williams FJ44-2C engines providing improved thrust and a higher takeoff weight. The FAA certified the CJ1 in August 2000. The CJ1+ followed in 2005 with the FJ44-2C+ engine, adding hot-and-high performance improvements. The CJ1 and CJ1+ share the original CitationJet type certificate. Combined production across the original CitationJet, CJ1, and CJ1+ totaled over 500 aircraft through approximately 2015.
Ideal For
- Two to four passengers on regional routes under 1,000nm where a single-pilot VLJ is economical: Dallas to Houston (240nm), Los Angeles to San Francisco (340nm), New York to Boston (190nm)
- Owner-pilots with single-pilot type ratings seeking a low-operating-cost jet without turboprop transition complexity
- Short-haul charter where the CJ1's $2,000–$2,800 per hour rate undercuts most light and midsize jet charter options
- Operators on thin routes where a five-seat VLJ fills demand a larger aircraft cannot serve economically
- Flights to smaller airports with runway length constraints where the CJ1's light weight and modest approach speed open more destinations than heavier light jets
CitationJet CJ1 vs Very Light Jet Average
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CitationJet CJ1 single-pilot certified?
Yes. The CitationJet CJ1 and CJ1+ are FAA-certified for single-pilot operation. This is the defining characteristic of the entire CitationJet family and the primary reason the type attracts owner-operators. Many Part 135 charter operations with the CJ1 use two pilots as a safety policy, but the type certificate permits single-pilot IFR flight.
How much does it cost to charter a CitationJet CJ1?
Charter rates run approximately $2,000 to $2,800 per hour. A one-hour hop such as Los Angeles to Las Vegas (230nm) typically totals $2,500 to $4,000 before taxes and positioning. The CJ1 is among the lowest-cost jet charter options available.
What is the difference between the original CitationJet, the CJ1, and the CJ1+?
The original CitationJet (1993–1999) used Williams FJ44-1A engines. The CJ1 (2000–2005) upgraded to FJ44-2C engines for higher thrust. The CJ1+ (2005 onward) added the FJ44-2C+ with improved hot-and-high performance. All three share the same basic airframe and type certificate. For charter purposes, the CJ1+ is the most capable; earlier CitationJets carry the lowest charter rates.
How does the CJ1 compare to the Phenom 100?
Both are very light jets with similar speeds (389 vs 390 ktas) and range (1,300 vs 1,178nm). The Phenom 100 is a newer design (deliveries from 2008) with a more modern avionics suite; the CJ1 dates from 1993. The CJ1 seats five versus four for the Phenom 100. Used CJ1 aircraft typically trade at lower prices than Phenom 100s of similar vintage.
Can the CJ1 fly coast to coast nonstop?
New York to Los Angeles is approximately 2,450nm, well beyond the CJ1's 1,300nm range. At least two fuel stops are required on that corridor. The CJ1 is a regional aircraft suited to routes under 900nm. Chicago to Dallas (800nm), Miami to Atlanta (600nm), and intra-California routes fall within comfortable range; anything transcontinental requires multiple stops.
Available Empty Legs on CitationJet CJ1s
Where CitationJet CJ1s actually fly
ADS-B-tracked flights from the trailing 90 days. Numbers cover aircraft on our charter database; private corporate fleets and operators using PIA registration are not in this count. Methodology →
Top routes
Busiest origins
Most active operators
| Operator | Aircraft | Flights |
|---|---|---|
| Skyway Aviation Services, Inc. | 1 | 170 |
| Southeastern Ohio Air Service, Inc. | 2 | 168 |
| C&C AVIATION LLC | 1 | 147 |
| Mississippi Air Express, LLC | 2 | 142 |
| SkySouth Aviation, Inc. | 1 | 140 |
| AVCON JET NORTH AMERICA, LLC | 1 | 127 |
| AIR BUSINESS LLC | 1 | 125 |
| AirStar, Inc. | 1 | 125 |
| North Dallas Aviation, Inc. | 2 | 109 |
| FLYDREAMS LLC | 1 | 93 |
Comparable aircraft
Same category, similar mission profile. The framing below summarizes how each one differs from the CitationJet CJ1 on the dimensions that matter most.